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The thousands of tons of toxic debris resulting from the collapse of the Twin Towers consisted of more than 2,500 contaminants,more
specifically: 50% nonfibrous material and construction debris; 40% glass and other fibers; 9.2% cellulose; and 0.8% asbestos,
lead, and mercury. There were also unprecedented levels of dioxin and PAHs from the fires which burned for three months. Some
of the dispersed substances (crystalline silica, lead, cadmium, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) are carcinogenic; other
substances can trigger kidney, heart, liver and nervous system deterioration.
This has led to debilitating illnesses among rescue and recovery workers, which many claim to be directly linked to debris
exposure. For example, NYPD Officer Frank Macri died of lung cancer that spread throughout his body on September 3, 2007;
his family contends the cancer is the result of long hours on the site and they have filed for line-of-duty death benefits,
which the City has yet to rule on.Health effects have also extended to some residents, students, and office workers of Lower
Manhattan and nearby Chinatown.
On May 24, 2007, for the first time a death was linked to the toxic dust caused by the World Trade Center's collapse.
Felicia Dunn-Jones died of lung disease five months after Sept. 11. Dunn-Jones will be listed on the Sept. 11 memorial when
it opens in 2009. The death of a retired police detective, James Zadroga, who died in January 2006, has been ruled by the
New Jersey medical examiner to be "directly related" to his work at ground zero on and after Sept. 11. His name,
as of yet, has not been added to the list of the attack victims,and the New York City medical examiner's office strongly disputed
the conclusion.
Legal disputes over the attendant costs of illnesses related to the attacks are still in the court system. On October
17, 2006, federal judge Alvin Hellerstein rejected New York City's refusal to pay for health costs for rescue workers,allowing
for the possibility of numerous suits against the city.
There is also scientific speculation that exposure to various toxic products and the pollutants in the air surrounding
the Towers after the WTC collapse may have negative effects on fetal development. Due to this potential hazard, a notable
children's environmental health center is currently analyzing the children whose mothers were pregnant during the WTC collapse,
and were living or working near the World Trade Center towers. The staff of this study assesses the children using psychological
testing every year and interviews the mothers every six months. The purpose of the study is to determine whether there is
significant difference in development and health progression of children whose mothers were exposed, versus those who were
not exposed after the WTC collapse.
Government officials have been faulted for urging the public to return to lower Manhattan in the weeks shortly following
the attacks. U.S. President Bush has been faulted for interfering with the EPA interpretations and pronouncements regarding
air quality. Mayor Giuliani has also been criticized for urging financial industry personnel to return to the greater Wall
Street area.
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